Latest news with #LegionofHonor
Egypt Independent
5 days ago
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Who is Gihane Zaki, the Egyptian parliamentarian who just received France's highest honor?
French President Emmanuel Macron issued a decree awarding an Egyptian parliamentarian the Legion of Honor, Knight rank – France's highest civilian honor. Egypt's official newspaper, al-Waqa'i' al-Masryia, published on Monday the text of the decree awarding Gihane Zaki, a member of the Egyptian House of Representatives and professor of ancient Egyptian civilization, the prestigious French order. According to the decree, this honor comes in recognition of her distinguished contributions towards promoting culture and soft diplomacy, her role in building bridges of dialogue between civilizations, and promoting the values of peace, tolerance, and knowledge across borders. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Legion of Honor Palace overlooking the River Seine in Paris during fall, with the attendance of a select group of international cultural and diplomatic figures. The decision to honor her came based on the recommendation of the French Ministry of European Affairs and International Cooperation, which commended Zaki's role as a prominent intellectual voice in international forums. Who is Gihane Zaki? Zaki is a member of Parliament, a professor of ancient Egyptian civilization, the head of the Grand Egyptian Museum, and a researcher at the Sorbonne University's Scientific Research Center. She previously served as Egypt's cultural advisor to Italy and as the former director of the Egyptian Academy of Arts in Rome, where she led the academy toward new horizons of cultural cooperation with Europe. She is considered one of the most prominent intellectual and cultural diplomatic figures in Egypt and the Arab world. Zaki has received several international honors from France and Italy, including the French 'Knight' medal in 2009, awarded by former President Nicolas Sarkozy in recognition of her efforts to strengthen cultural relations between both shores of the Mediterranean. National Council for Women congratulates Zaki The National Council for Women (NCW) extended its sincere congratulations to Zaki on the award in recognition of her distinguished contributions to culture and diplomacy, and towards promoting the values of peace and understanding through scientific research, knowledge, art, and cultural communication. The head of the NCW, Amal Ammar expressed her pride at Zaki being awarded this order, stressing that it is a well-deserved recognition of an honorable female role model, whose sincerity and dedication towards supporting the values of peace, equality and cultural diplomacy have brought people together. Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
Hypebeast
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
Pharrell Williams Honored as Knight of the Legion of Honor, France's Highest Civilian Recognition
Summary Pharrell Williams, the multi-hyphenate artist, producer, and fashion designer, has been officially awarded the prestigious title of Knight of the Legion of Honor,France's highest civilian distinction. The recognition, announced on a list ahead of France's July 14 national day, marks a significant moment for Williams and underscores his profound impact on global culture, particularly within the realms of French luxury and creativity. Williams, 52, who currently serves as the men's creative director forLouis Vuitton, was recognized alongside 588 other individuals, including prominent figures like feminist icon Gisele Pelicot. This honor solidifies his unique position as a cultural ambassador whose influence transcends music and fashion, touching urban planning, and even diplomatic relations. French officials acknowledge that Williams has significantly elevated France's cultural profile among younger demographics. Established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the Legion of Honor traditionally recognizes military heroes, diplomats, and scholars. By bestowing this honor upon Williams, France signals a modern understanding of soft power, embracing a cultural entrepreneur whose influence operates through commercial channels but achieves diplomatic outcomes. Williams joins a select group of foreign recipients that includes luminaries like Nelson Mandela,Steven Spielbergand Bob Dylan, artists whose work has achieved universal resonance. This recognition comes as Williams continues to reshape luxury fashion at Louis Vuitton while maintaining his prolific musical career. His recent Paris show attracted a host of international celebrities, further highlighting his global reach. The award serves as validation of his unconventional path to cultural influence, proving that creativity knows no borders, and neither do the honors that acknowledge its power.
Muscat Daily
6 days ago
- Muscat Daily
Gisele Pelicot awarded France's highest civilian honour
Paris, France – Gisele Pelicot, the French woman whose courage in publicly testifying about the decade-long sexual abuse she endured made her a symbol of women's rights in France, has received the country's highest civilian honour. Pelicot was named a knight of the Legion of Honor in a list published on Sunday, ahead of France's Bastille Day celebrations. She joins 588 others on this year's list. Case that shocked France Pelicot gained international recognition after she testified against her ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, who had drugged and raped her and invited strangers to assault her for more than a decade. Dominique Pelicot was convicted last year of aggravated rape and sentenced to 20 years in prison. In a landmark ruling, a court in Avignon sentenced his 50 co-defendants to prison terms ranging from three to 15 years. Encouraging survivors of sexual assault The case shocked France and reignited a national debate over sexual violence and legal protections for victims. Pelicot, who insisted the trial be held publicly, has been praised for helping push for reforms in France's rape laws. Following the trial, the French Senate passed a bill that includes a lack of consent in the country's criminal definition of rape. In her closing statement at the trial of the 51 men accused of raping her, Pelicot said: 'It's time that the macho, patriarchal society that trivialises rape changes… It's time we changed the way we look at rape.' DW
Times of Oman
6 days ago
- Times of Oman
Gisele Pelicot awarded France's highest civilian honour
Gisele Pelicot, the French woman whose courage in publicly testifying about the decade-long abuse she endured made her a symbol of women's rights in France, has received the country's highest civilian honor. Pelicot was named a knight of the Legion of Honor in a list published Sunday, ahead of France's Bastille Day celebrations. She joins 588 others on this year's list. Case that shocked France Pelicot gained international recognition after she testified against her ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, who had drugged and raped her and invited strangers to assault her for more than a decade. Dominique Pelicot was convicted last year of aggravated rape and sentenced to 20 years in prison. In a landmark ruling, a court in Avignon sentenced his 50 co-defendants to prison terms ranging from three to 15 years. Pelicot encourages survivors of sexual assault The case shocked France and reignited a national debate over sexual violence and legal protections for victims. Pelicot, who insisted the trial be held publicly, has been praised for helping push for reforms in France's rape laws. Following the trial, the French Senate passed a bill that includes a lack of consent in the country's criminal definition of rape. In her closing statement at the trial of the 51 men accused of raping her, Pelicot said, "It's time that the macho, patriarchal society that trivializes rape changes… It's time we changed the way we look at rape."
DW
6 days ago
- DW
Gisele Pelicot awarded France's highest civilian honor – DW – 07/14/2025
Pelicot's landmark case led to reforms in France's rape laws after she bravely testified about enduring a decade of sexual abuse. Gisele Pelicot, the French woman whose courage in publicly testifying about the decade-long sexual abuse she endured made her a symbol of women's rights in France, has received the country's highest civilian honor. Pelicot was named a knight of the Legion of Honor in a list published Sunday, ahead of France's Bastille Day celebrations. She joins 588 others on this year's list. Pelicot gained international recognition after she testified against her ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, who had drugged and raped her and invited strangers to assault her for more than a decade. Dominique Pelicot was convicted last year of aggravated rape and sentenced to 20 years in prison. In a landmark ruling, a court in Avignon sentenced his 50 co-defendants to prison terms ranging from three to 15 years. The case shocked France and reignited a national debate over sexual violence and legal protections for victims. Pelicot, who insisted the trial be held publicly, has been praised for helping push for reforms in France's rape laws. Following the trial, the French Senate passed a bill that includes a lack of consent in the country's criminal definition of rape. In her closing statement at the trial of the 51 men accused of raping her, Pelicot said, "It's time that the macho, patriarchal society that trivializes rape changes… It's time we changed the way we look at rape." To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
